He went out of the room to find it.

Mrs. Heywood crossed over to the fire and swept up the grate.

“Clare is a very long time to-night,” she said.

Then Mollie came in carrying a tray with some plates of sandwiches. One of her fingers was tied up with a rag.

“It’s a good job the guests is late to-night,” she remarked.

“Yes, we are all very behind-hand,” said Mrs. Heywood.

Mollie dumped down the tray and gave vent to a little of her impertinent philosophy:

“I’ll never give an At Home when I’m married. Blest if I do. Social ‘ipocrisy, I call them.”

Mrs. Heywood rebuked her sharply:

“We don’t want your opinion, Mollie, thank you.”